The Bohemians U-19 squad finished top of the League of Ireland U-19 Northern Elite Division by 4 points – ahead of today’s semi-final opponents, Sligo Rovers. The young Bohs got the better of Sligo during the league phase, beating them both home and away by a 6-2 aggregate score line. Graham Lawlor’s upstarts beat Limerick 2-1 in the quarter-final stage to set up Sunday’s clash with Sligo Rovers.
The first half got underway and almost immediately Bohs began dictating proceedings with their slick passing and interplay. Cian McMullen was causing all sorts of problems for the Westerners during the early exchanges; continually driving down the right flank and beating defenders at will. In the 6th minute, he jinked past 2 Sligo defenders and whipped the ball in for Ryan Graydon, who nodded the ball at the ‘keeper who was covering the near post. This theme continued throughout the first 10-15 minutes, and, it was then the turn of Danny Grant to head the ball at the waiting Sligo goalkeeper – Edward McGinty – this time from a corner. Fullback Andy Lyons troubled the Sligo goal with a rasping effort from the edge of the box, but again the Sligo ‘keeper - parried it away.
At this stage Sligo began to grow into the game, their pressing causing the young Bohs to misplace passes under pressure. In the 17th minute Ryan Graydon picked up a yellow card and from the resulting freekick Kian Clarke fumbled the delivery. There was appeals for a penalty from everyone affiliated with Sligo but it wasn’t awarded.
The game began to flow much more, another chance for Sligo from pacey striker Iarlaith Connor was saved by the outrushing Kian Clarke. In the 38th minute after a period of pressure from the young Bohs, they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Andy Lyons. Cian McMullen ghosted past two Sligo Rovers defenders and cut the ball back for Lyons, who was fouled. Jamie Hamilton converted the penalty high to the left of the goalkeeper, who couldn’t reach it. The first half ended 1-0 to Bohemians.
The second half began like the first did: the young Bohemians side dominating much of the early play. This almost provided Bohs with a second goal when Danny Grant was played through but, unfortunately, his shot was saved again by the Sligo stopper. Another chance came the way of Grant who received the ball from McMullen after a cross in from the left. Free from defenders in the box, Grant tried to move the ball onto his left foot but the centre half was quickly upon him and turned the ball over.
The second half was almost as if the first was replayed to everyone in attendance in Dalymount. After initial Bohs pressure, Sligo again grew into the game and began to have the better of the play. They had two chances in quick succession that amounted to nothing. The first, in the 53rd minute, being when the Sligo number 10, Mark Hannon, picked up the ball wide right. With acres of space to himself, he fizzed the ball across the goalmouth, the equaliser only saved by a heroic block from Andy Lyons.
The second, in the 56th minute, with the Bit o’Red bearing down on goal, 4 vs 2, but the attacker dallied on the ball and John Ross Wilson cleared. With guile and a quality final ball lacking for both sides several half chances went untaken. With the game reaching its climax, Ryan Graydon picked up a second yellow card in the 78th minute and was sent off. With backs firmly to the wall for Bohs, they managed to keep their sheet clean – despite the aerial bombardment of long throws from Sligo.
The young Bohs had a couple of chances late on the seal the win from substitutes Cian Fay and Dylan Thornton, but the wall that Sligo had in goal kept the ball out. Eventually, the final whistle was blown, the final score 1-0 to Bohemians. Bohemians now advance to the U-19 Elite League final where they will take on St. Patricks Athletic or UCD in Dalymount Park on Wednesday the 1st of November.
Photo Credit: Stephen Burke (Bohemians)
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